An exiled Iranian resistance group, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK), has uncovered a top-secret unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) site in Iran, north of Qom City in the Ganjine region. The site is reportedly used by members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to train on various drones, including the Mohajer series manufactured by Qods Aviation Industry.
The MEK's report indicates that the site serves as a training ground for Iranian proxy operatives from Hezbollah, Syria, Yemen, and Iraq to operate the Mohajer-4 drone platform. The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) has confirmed that the site is used to test drones such as the Mohajer-4, Mohajer-6, and Mohajer-10.
The newest addition to Iran's drone arsenal, the Mohajer-10, boasts impressive capabilities, including a 300-kilogram payload capacity, a range of 2,000 kilometers, and a 24-hour flight endurance. This advanced drone was released in August 2023 and has raised concerns due to its potential for carrying out powerful strikes.
Experts warn that Iran's proliferation of drone technology to proxy groups poses a significant threat, allowing them to conduct attacks with plausible deniability. Recent incidents, including a deadly drone strike on U.S. service members in Jordan, highlight the escalating tensions in the region.
The MEK's findings reveal the expansion of the drone site near Qom over the years, indicating Iran's strategic focus on asymmetric warfare using drones and missiles. The group alleges that Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has been personally overseeing the country's drone project since 2004.
As Western governments grapple with Iran's aggressive drone activities, calls for firm action and accountability have intensified. The MEK urges other nations to follow the U.S.' designation of the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization to curb Iran's belligerent actions.
With Iran's growing drone capabilities and the involvement of proxy groups in regional conflicts, the situation remains volatile, raising concerns about future security challenges in the Middle East.
